QUEENSLANDERS are being urged not lose sight of what really matters: protecting our Great Barrier Reef and all those who rely on it, in the wake of another public promise by giant coal corporation Adani.

According to media reports, Adani plans to announce an intention to set up fly-in fly-out worker hubs in Townsville and Rockhampton despite not yet having secured finance for its destructive and controversial Carmichael mine.

Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) Fight For Our Reef Campaign Director Imogen Zethoven said the priority of the state and federal governments should be on protecting our Great Barrier Reef and the 64,000 workers who depend on its health, not propping up a billion-dollar international company intent on damaging it further.

“We are experiencing record temperatures, year upon year. We’ve witnessed mass coral bleachings, both this year and last. Coal kills coral – it’s as simple as that. If this mega-mine goes ahead it will produce billions of tonnes of pollution, which will only worsen what is already a critical situation for our iconic Reef.

“It’s not too late to protect our beautiful Reef, but we must give up the fantasy that we can keep mining and burning coal with no consequences.”

Ms Zethoven said switching to renewable energy and storage would deliver clean, cheap and reliable power while creating long, term sustainable jobs for the regions.

“North Queensland is already at the heart of Australia’s renewables boom – this is the future of our great state, not coal. Australians want and deserve local jobs that are long-term, secure, and which don’t cost the earth.”